North is up in this
image. This field shows the two galaxies NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 in
the process of a merger (such a process takes eons). Combined they are known by
the common name of "The Antennae". The distinctive tails can be seen
extending from the merger toward the top and bottom of the image. These galaxies
are also cataloged in Arp's Peculiar Galaxies catalog as Arp 244. Their distance
from Earth is estimated at about 74 million light years (redshift independent
estimate). Also along the lower edge are two smaller galaxies . These
smaller galaxies as well as The Antennae are identified and highlighted in
the annotated image.
The Horizontal FOV is 38'